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Conservative MP Mike Freer has told PinkNews he’s appalled by the Russian Government’s stance on gay equality and that he would like the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to consider moving the 2014 Winter Olympics from Russia.

Speaking to PinkNews.co.uk, the gay MP for Finchley and Golders Green, said: “I understand the revulsion at the actions of the Russian Government but sports boycotts haven’t proved to be effective and it seems that the only people hurt by any boycotts are the athletes who stay away. Many gay athletes do not support a boycott.

Mr Freer, who advises the Conservative Party leadership on LGBT policies, added: “The Russian Government would ignore any boycott but that doesn’t mean the IOC and governments shouldn’t be telling Putin to scrap his discriminatory laws or the IOC will look to relocate the Games. A boycott is unlikely to work – taking the Games away would. In the meantime gay athletes should be prepared to compete, openly and proudly, debunking Putin’s views on homosexuality by winning medals. In the end, if Putin won’t move, the Games should.”

PinkNews covers religion, politics, entertainment, finance, and community news for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community in the UK and worldwide. Founded to produce broadsheet quality journalism for the LGBT community, we cover politics to theology in an intelligent manner.